dressed the mob, promising that he would order the soldiers away if they would act peaceably. The petition was presented, signed by 120,000 names, as it was said, but the House rejected it by an immense majority, there being only six for it, and 192 against it. Soon afterwards the House adjourned, and the mob dispersed, but collected in a body, and nearly destroyed the Roman Catholic chapels in Duke-street Lincoln's-inn fields, and in Warwick-street Golden-square. Charles Howard earl of Surrey, who afterwards succeeded to the title of duke of Norfolk, heretofore a Roman Catholic peer, renounced the errors of the church of Rome before the archbishop of Canterbury. June 4. The mob assembled again, and attacked the chapels and houses of the catholics in Moor-fields, burning the furniture in the streets. June 5. The rioters burnt the catholic chapels in Virginia-street, Wapping, and Nightingale-lane, and stripped the houses of Mr. Rainsforth in Clare Market, and Mr. Maberly of Little Queen-street, and destroyed their stock and furniture; Sir George Saville's house met the same fate. A proclamation was issued offering a reward of 5001. for apprehending the rioters who had set fire to the Sardinian and Bavarian ambassadors chapels; several of the mob were committed to Newgate. June 6. All the military in London were ordered on duty, but the rioters divided into parties, one of whom attacked the gaol of Newgate, demanding the release of their comrades, but being refused, they set fire to the building, and the prisoners (upwards of 300) were liberated; other parties destroyed the houses of justice Cox and Sir John Fielding; another party attacked the New Prison, Clerkenwell, broke it open, and discharged the prisoners; the elegant house of lord Mansfield was forcibly entered, and all his furniture, valuable library, and other property of great value, were consigned to the flames, his Lordship and family escaping with difficulty through a back door. A party of guards arrived during the act of demolition, and fired upon the mob, when several were killed and wounded. June 7. This day the riot attained its heighth, the mob burnt down the King'sbench, New Bridewell, and Fleet prison, and the toll gates at Blackfriar's bridge; Langdale's distillery, in Holborn, was also burnt, and several of the mob lost their lives by inebriety, in drinking the spirituous liquors. It was estimated that 36 fires were blazing at the same time in different quarters; and the whole of this day and the ensuing night was a scene of anarchy and confusion never before remembered. Lord George Gordon was apprehended and committed to the Tower. Two attempts were made upon the Bank, but the rioters were repulsed by the first fire of the military. The number of persons killed by the military was estimated at 285, and 173 wounded; the number who died by drinking, and other accidents, was never ascertained. June 8. By the excellent arrangement of the military and the exertions of the city, the metropolis was this day restored to peace, having been a week under the controul of a lawless mob, without any effectual means having been taken till the close of it to suppress the rioters; great blame was imputed to the city authorities for their supineness. The House of Commons adjourned to Monday the 19th instant. June 9. A camp was formed in St. James's Park, to be in readiness in case of any sudden emergency. Sir Thomas Gascoigne read his recantation from the errors of the church of Rome before the archbishop of Canterbury last Sunday, and received the sacrament according to the rites of the church of England. Alexander Wedderburne, esq. late attorney-general, appointed lord chief justice of the court of Common-pleas, on the resignation of Sir William de Grey; the new made judge was shortly afterwards created a peer by the title of lord Loughborough. June 13. On Friday a riot happened at Bath, which, though accidentally begun, assumed a very serious aspect; a mob of nearly 10,000 persons assembled, and proceeded to demolish the windows and doors of the Romish chapel, and burning the furniture, and finally the chapel itself; the Bath volunteers were called out, and fired upon the multitude, whereby one man was killed; they succeeded in restoring peace, and dispersing the mob. A riot also took place at Hull, when the mob destroyed a popish chapel, but were dispersed by the Suffolk militia. June 15. Their royal highnesses the dukes of Gloucester and Cumberland went to court for the first time since their respective marriages. June 19. His Majesty went in state to the House of Peers, and opened the Parliament with a gracious speech from the throne, in which he took notice of the out rages committed by bands of desperate men, and said that every tie of duty and affection to the people, induced him to provide for the public safety, and that proper measures had been taken to bring the authors and abettors of these insurrections to condign punishment. Both Houses addressed his Majesty, testifying their abhorrence of the late outrages, and expressing their satisfaction at the measures adopted for bringing the offenders to speedy trial. June 21. At a quarterly court of proprietors of East India stock, a dividend of 44. per cent. was declared for the present half year, ending at Midsummer. June 22. Came on before Mr. justice Buller and a special jury, the trial between the duke of Richmond and the rev. Mr. Bate, for a libel against the Duke inserted in a newspaper of which Mr. Bate was editor, when the jury found a verdict in favor of the Duke. June 28. At the Old Bailey sessions, and subsequently by a special commission, appointed for trying the rioters at St. Margaret's-hill, several were convicted and executed, but the greater number were pardoned. July 3. His Majesty gave the royal assent, by commission, to the following bills; For vesting in the East India company their territorial acquisitions in the East Indies. To prevent the carrying of copper in sheets coastways, &c. For granting to his Majesty one million on a vote of credit. To extend and encourage the Greenland fishery. For appointing commissioners to inspect the public accounts. For allowing a drawback on the duty of coffee. For granting a reward for discovery of the longitude. For granting a duty upon starch. And to several local and private bills. Admiral Geary captured twelve merchant-men, part of the homeward bound French West India fleet, the rest escaped in a fog. July 4. The Capricieuse French frigate of 44 guns, captured by La Prudente, capt. Waldegrave, off cape Ortugal, after a sharp action. July 8. The court of common conncil of the city of London, agreed to present an address to his Majesty, expressing the grateful thanks of the court, for granting the city such aid as became necessary to subdue the late dangerous riots. His Majesty went in state to the House of Peers, and closed the session of Parliament with a gracious speech from the throne, and the Parliament was prorogued to Thursday the 24th of August next. July 11. One hundred and thirty-five persons were tried for rioting, of whom 59 were convicted. July 18. The court of aldermen resolved that as there was now no appearance of riots in the city, no further allowance should be made to the troops, as it appeared that the average expense of their maintenance was 100l. a day, and that 40002, had already been drawn for that purpose. July 28. The corporation of London waited upon his Majesty with an address, expressive of their detestation and abhorrence of the late tumults; to which his Majesty returned a gracious answer. James Wallace, esq. appointed attorney general. John Heath, esq. appointed one of the judges of the court of Common-pleas. Aug. 9. A dreadful storm of thunder and lightning took place at Swansea, in Glamorganshire, a man was struck dead making hay, and a horse and eighteen sheep were killed by the electric fluid at Usk, in Monmouthshire; two horses were also killed in a stable at Pontypool. Aug. 10. The Flora, capt. W. P. Williams, captured the French frigate La Nymphe of 40 guns, after a severe contest, in which the Flora had 131 men killed and wounded. The encampment in Hyde Park broke up. The liverymen, freemen, and other inhabitants of London, presented an address to his Majesty, thanking him for the seasonable protection afforded them during the late outrages. Aug. 12. The Bienfaisant and Charon, capt. Macbride, attacked the Compte d'Artois, French ship of 64 guns, and 644 men, and after an engagement of one hour and ten minutes, she struck to the British. A desperate affray happened at Plymouth, between the Brecknock regiment of militia, joined by the 97th regiment of foot, and the Somerset and Hereford regiments of militia, they fought both with their side arms and with muskets, it was not appeased till several on both sides were killed and wounded. Aug. 16. The Americans under general Gates were defeated at Camden by lord Cornwallis, with the loss of between eight and nine hundred killed, and 1000 prison ers. Aug. 18. Both Houses of Parliament were prorogued to Thursday, the 20th day of September next. Aug. 21. The king of France abolished the application of torture to criminals, to make them confess. A violent shock of an earthquake was felt in Flint and Denbyshire, and also in Caernarvonshire, and in Anglesey, though not at Conway. Aug. 28. Admiral Digby, with twelve ships of the line and two frigates, sailed from Spithead on a secret expedition. Aug. 30. Died, by poison, administered by his brother-in-law capt. Donellan, Sir Theodosius Edward Allesley Boughton, bart. Sept. 1. A proclamation was issued for dissolving the present Parliament, and declaring the calling of another. Sept. 4. James Mansfield, esq. appointed solicitor general. Died, Sir John Fielding, knt. justice of the peace for Middlesex and Westmin ster. Sept. 6. Lord North, lord Westcote, lord Palmerstone, Sir Richard Sutton, bart. and John Buller, esq. appointed commissioners for executing the office of treasurer of his Majesty's exchequer. Sept. 7. A numerous meeting of the inhabitants of Westminster assembled in Covent Garden, to elect two members of Parliament for that city, the candidates were lord Lincoln, Sir George Brydges Rodney, and the hon. Charles James Fox, the majority of hands was declared to be in favour of lord Lincoln and Sir G. B. Rodney, but a poll was demanded in behalf of Mr. Fox. Sept. 8. A court of hustings was held at Guildhall, London, to elect members for the city, when the election was declared to have fallen on aldermen Hayley, Bull, Sawbridge, and Newnham, but a poll was demanded in favour of aldermen Kirkman and Clarke. Sept. 14. John Wilkes and George Byng, esqrs. were elected without opposition, members of Parliament for the county of Middlesex. Sept. 15. At the close of the poll for election of members for the city of London, the numbers wereFor Alderman Hayley 4062 Sept. 17. A dreadful storm of thunder and lightning happened at Eastbourne in Sussex, which struck the house of Mr. Adair, and killed two of his servants, and did considerable damage to the house and furniture; Mr. Adair was struck senseless and was found in that situation, and Miss Adair was greatly alarmed by the posts of her bedstead being split, though herself was unhurt. Sept. 20. Colonel Baillie attacked at Conjeveram, in the East Indies, by the army of Hyder Ally, consisting of 25,000 cavalry, and 30 regiments of native infantry, and totally defeated, with the loss of 5000 seapoys, 700 Europeans, and 200 prisoners. Sept. 22. At the close of the poll for the city of Westminster, the numbers were For Sir G. B. Rodney - 5298 Hon. C. J. Fox Lord Lincoln 4878 4157 The two first were consequently duly elected, but a scrutiny was demanded by lord Lincoln. The Resolution and Discovery ships, commanded by captains Gore and King, who had succeeded captains Cooke and Clarke, arrived at Stromness, after an absence of four years and four months, in search of a N. E. or N. W. passage from the sea of Kamschatka to Europe; capt. Cooke was killed at Owhyee, and capt. Clarke died during the voyage. The right hon. Frederick earl of Carlisle made lieut. general and governor of the kingdom of Ireland, and William Eden, esq. his principal secretary. Sept. 23. Major André, adjutant general in the British army, apprehended by the Americans, as a spy, tried by a court martial, and condemned to be hanged. Oct. 2. The Fairy sloop, and Vestal frigate, captured off Newfoundland an American packet, on board of which was Mr. Laurens, the president of the American congress, who threw a box containing letters overboard, but by the intrepidity of one of the seamen it was recovered; Mr. Laurens was bound for Holland, and the papers taken were of great consequence. Major André was hanged by the Americans, upon a charge of being a spy, he was taken in consequence of being appointed to confer with general Arnold, who intended to desert the Americans, and papers were found upon him developing his negociations with Arnold for delivering up the post and troops under his command to the British general. Oct. 3. A great earthquake, hurricane, and inundation, happened in Westmoreland and Hanover counties in the island of Jamaica, which destroyed most of the dwelling-houses, and did immense damage to the crops. Oct. 6. Mr. Laurens, after a long examination by the privy council, was com mitted close prisoner to the Tower. Oct. 9. In consequence of an address by the House of Commons to his Majesty, the claims of a considerable number of sufferers by the late rebellious insurrection were laid before the board of works, the officers of which were to report the particulars to the treasury. Oct. 10. A dreadful hurricane of 30 hours duration happened at St. Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, Barbadoes, Tobago, and other of the West India islands, the British vessels lying near were driven out to sea, many dismasted, and several totally wrecked, and the crews drowned; the French vessels on the same station also suffered materially. Oct 12. By a letter from Sir Henry Clinton, dated from New York, it was stated, that the American general Arnold, had quitted the service of the United States, and joined the King's standard. Oct. 20. Mr. Trumbull, son of the American governor of Connecticut, was committed to prison, on suspicion of carrying on a treasonable correspondence. Oct. 22. Her Majesty was safely delivered of a prince. Oct. 25. M. de Sartine was dismissed as minister of the French marine, and was succeeded by M. de Castres. Oct. 26. The court of common council resolved to defend the action brought against the Lord Mayor and sheriffs, at the suit of Mr. Langdale; and it was at the same court resolved, that the expenses of the courts of conservancy should not exceed 3001, in every mayoralty. Oct. 30. The prince of which her Majesty was lately delivered, was christened Alfred. Oct. 31. His Majesty went in state to open the new Parliament; the Commons chose Charles W. Cornwall their speaker, who was approved by his Majesty. Arcot, in the East Indies, taken by assault by Hyder Ally, the fort surrendered on the 3d of Nov. following. Nov. 1. The board of works received the account of the losses sustained by the sufferers in the late riots, they amounted to 130,000l. but several other claims were subsequently made, increasing the amount to 180,0007. His royal highness prince Frederick, bishop of Osnaburgh, made colonel in the army, by brevet. His Majesty went in state to the House of Peers, and opened the session of Parliament witha most gracious speech from the throne. Thomas Wroughton, esq. envoy extraordiSir George Brydges Rodney, bart. and nary to the court of Sweden, elected knights of the Bath. Oet. 15. A violent hurricane, accompanied with lightning, desolated Hammer- Nov. 9. At a general court of propriesmith, Roehampton, Richmond, Kingston, tors of East India stock, the general acand other places in the environs of Lon- count of the company's affairs in England, don, houses were blown down, and trees India, and China, was read, when it aptorn up by their roots; at Roehampton a peared, that the balance in favour of the barn was blown down, and seven poor company was 5,963,8177. exclusive of their persons buried in the ruins who were much possessions abroad and at home, estimated bruised and wounded. at 7,000,000l. more. A fire happened at Salisbury, which burnt down the Council-house, in which were held the courts of law, the building was upwards of 200 years old, the charters and other valuable documents were saved. Oct. 17. Mr. Langdale, the distiller, whose houses were destroyed by the rioters in June last, brought his action against the Lord Mayor for recovery of 40,000l. his alledged loss in consequence of the negligence of the city magistrates. VOL. II. Nov. 10. A true bill of indictment was found by the grand jury against George Gordon, esq. commonly called lord George Gordon, for high treason. Amongst the papers taken on board the American vessel, having Mr. Laurens the American president on board, was found a treaty of commerce between the States General and the United States of America; Sir J. Yorke presented a memorial to their High Mightinesses stating the fact, and requiring them either to disavow it and punish the authors, or that his Majesty would be under the necessity of taking such measures as the interests of his people and the preservation of his own dignity demanded. Nov. 22. The French frigate, Senegal, prize to his Majesty's sloop Zephyr, blown up by accident at Goree, when all on board perished. Nov. 25. Died, Francis Vivares, the celebrated engraver. Nov. 27. His Majesty went in state to the House of Peers, and gave the royal assent to the following bills; For detaining persons suspected of high treason. For indemnifying sheriffs and gaolers. nature. Mr. alderman Sawbridge was elected member of Parliament for the city of London, in the room of alderman Kirkman, deceased. Dec. 2. Mr. justice Wilmot obtained a verdict in the court of Common-pleas, against the inhabitants of Bethnal-green, and 13551. for the destruction of his property by the rioters. Dec. 7. The duke of Montague appointed master of the horse to his Majesty, and the earl of Aylesbury chamberlain of his Majesty's household. Dec. 9. Mr. Maberly of Little Queenstreet, obtained a verdict in the court of King's-bench against the Hundred of Ossulton, and 20627. damages for the destruction of his house, stock in trade, furniture, &c. by the rioters. Dec. 18. A society of Antiquarians was instituted in the city of Edinburgh, the earl of Bute was elected president. Dec. 20. War declared by Great Britain against Holland, the reasons for which were declared in a manifesto, published in a gazette extraordinary. Dec. 22. Died, James Harris, esq. F.R.S. author of Hermes, and other philological works. An order of council was issued, declarIng his Majesty's intention to allow all ships belonging to the Dutch to depart, with their cargoes (except contraband goods) provided that the Dutch pursued the same line of conduct towards ourselves. Dec. 26. Died, Dr. John Fothergill, a celebrated physician, aged 69. Dec. 29. His royal highness the prince bishop of Osnaburgh set out for Margate, to embark on board the Princess Augusta, yacht, for the continent. |